Atlanta

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleged the Plano, Texas-based retailer denied a female job applicant a position in the hair salon at the store in Brunswick, Ga., after she informed the salon manager she was pregnant.

"Such alleged conduct violates the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, which prohibits employers from subjecting women to discrimination due to pregnant," the EEOC said.

The consent decree settling the suit includes, in addition to monetary relief, provisions for equal employment opportunity training, and reporting and posting of anti-discrimination notices.

J.C. Penney denied any liability or wrongdoing, according to the EECO.